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Hand of Fate 2 out on Xbox One tomorrow

30/11/2017

 
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Defiant Development’s action-RPG is launching on Xbox One tomorrow complete with 4K support for Xbox One X users.

by Liam Andrews
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@pass_controller

A follow up the 2015 original title, Hand of Fate 2 once again sees players take on the Game of Life and Death in a series of trials built from a magical card collection. Set one hundred years after the conclusion of the first game, Hand of Fate 2 introduces a number of new features to help players in their journey.
These include new companion characters, more table top mini games, a character creator and an overhauled combat system. The world map has also been tweaked so that it “frames a more engaging story”.
 
"The reception to Hand of Fate 2 thus far has been incredible,” said Morgan Jaffit, Director, Defiant Development.
 
“It’s been extremely gratifying to see so many people enjoy what we’ve been working on these past years and we are excited to share this experience with the Xbox One community this December.”
 
The game will launch on Xbox One with an RRP of $29.99 USD / €24.99 / $29.99 AUD.
 
Hand of Fate 2 is available now on PS4 and PC.
 
Will you be picking this up on Xbox One? Let us know below and be sure to keep an eye out for our review in the coming weeks.
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Bungie detail future updates coming to Destiny 2, XP changes addressed

30/11/2017

 
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In a recent blog post, the development team shared some info on the changes that are coming to Destiny 2 in December and beyond, and stated they are committed to being more open with the community following tough criticism regarding their lack of communication.

by Chris Brand
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@pass_controller

Chief among the new additions is a new tier of weapon. Masterwork weapons will feature stat trackers, random bonuses that can be rerolled and unique item tooltips. They can drop from any source of legendary weapons for characters with a power score above 250.
Also coming in December are improved vendor rewards which add ways to purchase items directly with Legendary Shards and Tokens, and armour ornaments, rewarded for the completion of specific challenges.

The team are planning to include better rewards for players who complete challenging prestige activities, improved rewards and replayability for Strikes, Adventures and Lost Sectors, and changes to the Crucible, such as private matches, adjusted Supremacy scoring and better spawning rules.

There's more on the way in the next couple of weeks including:

  • Continued improvements to Iron Banner and Faction Rallies, including uniqueness of rewards.
  • Changes to make the mod economy more interesting and impactful.
  • Ongoing improvements to Exotics, including adjustments to reduce instances of duplication.
  • New ways to spend surplus currency and materials (looking at you Legendary Shards).
  • An emote interface that allows players to equip Salty, Spicy Ramen, Six Shooter, and Flip Out all at the same time.

There's too much to list here, but you can read about all the upcoming tweaks in full in the blog post.

The developers touched upon the fact that XP gains had been altered last week, much to the community's chagrin, and those changes have now been reverted.


"Last weekend, we disabled a scaling mechanism that adjusted XP gains up and down without reflecting those adjustments in the UI. Our intention was to keep slower-paced activities as rewarding as high intensity grinding without confusing variations in displayed XP values, but the silent nature of the mechanic betrayed the expectation of transparency that you have for Destiny 2.

We were able to disable the system with a server-side change, but a new solution is now needed to rebalance XP in Destiny 2. We have begun that work, and will continue to provide updates to you about timelines and specifics.”

If you you haven't played Destiny 2 yet, you can read our review and check out what's available in this week's free trial.

​Do the changes seem like a step in the right direction? Share your thoughts with us below or over in the forums.

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Destiny 2 free trial available now

29/11/2017

 
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Everyone can jump into Destiny 2 this week for free with a limited trial that gives access to a little bit of everything.

by Chris Brand
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@pass_controller

There's one campaign mission which takes place in the European Dead Zone and another on Titan. Adventures are available and both areas are open to explore fully as you reach the level cap of 7. The Crucible's Quickplay playlist gives a taste of the competitive multiplayer.

All progress will be carried over if you decide to purchase the full game.
Activision enlisted the help of Dan Bull to advertise the free weekend with a rap battle inspired by the Rally the Troops trailer released earlier in the year.

You can see Cayde-6 and Commander Zavala spitting bars below.
Fancy giving Destiny 2 a go? Let us know below or over in the forums.
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Coatsink and Fierce Kaiju set to collaborate on new VR project

29/11/2017

 
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Two UK developers have announced they will be collaborating on the development of an as of yet unannounced VR project.

by Liam Andrews
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@pass_controller

Coatsink (Esper, Augmented Empire, A Night Sky) are partnering up with Leeds-based developer Fierce Kaiju - best known for their Viral series– to create a new virtual reality title that’s set for release sometime next year.
“Fierce Kaiju are very pleased to be working with our friends at Coatsink on an all new co-developed VR title,” said Paul Colls, Creative Director and Co-Founder of Fierce Kaiju.
 
“Both Fierce Kaiju and Coatsink have created pioneering VR projects and we have a lot of respect for the Coatsink team and their achievements,” he continued. “We’re building something very special and we can’t wait to reveal more in due course.”
 
Eddie Beardsmore, COO at Coatsink, also had a few good words to say about the new partnership:
 
“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with such a talented team - and the creators one of our office game night favourites, Viral Quarantine. We can’t wait to show VR fans what we have planned.”
 
What do you think the project could be? Let us know your thoughts below or in the forums.
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Vostok Inc. lands on Switch early December

28/11/2017

 
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In the "twin-stick shooter without a conscience" you play as the newly appointed CEO of Vostok Inc. with the goal of making as much moolah as possible.

by Chris Brand
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@pass_controller

You'll start by landing on a planet to begin colonisation and build factories. As the money starts flowing in, you'll be able to upgrade your ship's weapons and augmentations, and recruit managers, consultants and executives to further increase your profits.
Key features include:

  • Explore more than 40 planets over 6 solar systems (including the Switch exclusive, Pluto).
  • Craft and upgrade an arsenal of 40+ diverse weapons and ship augmentations.
  • Enjoy an adaptive audio system, with music that constantly evolves as you play!
  • Use the same save game across a variety of devices.

Vostok Inc. is available on Nintendo Switch from 7 December and can be pre-ordered from the eShop now.

We crowned it Game of the Show at EGX recently and interviewed Andreas Firnigl, Managing Director and designer at Nosebleed Interactive.
And don't forget, any budding astronauts could win a huge cash prize for exploring our solar system.

Will you be picking this up? Let us know below or over in the forums.

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ENDED: Super Lucky's Tale giveaway

27/11/2017

 
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Congratulations to Billy P (@Slim__Billy) on being drawn as the winner of our Super Lucky's Tale giveaway!

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by Sam Sant

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@SlamShotSam


An Xbox One copy of Playful Corp. and Microsoft’s colourful character platformer, Super Lucky’s Tale, is our giveaway prize this week.

​
Having made his debut in virtual reality, Lucky’s taken to the television screen in this Xbox One X Enhanced sequel that sees you bound your way through classically-inspired levels to collect four-leaf clovers. For more on the game, be sure to check out our review.

If you aren’t randomly drawn as our winner and fancy picking the cutesy collectathon up for yourself, you can grab it from the Xbox Store.

Entries are registered via Gleam below.

Good luck!
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Super Lucky's Tale giveaway
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Wardog Fury campaign coming to Raiders of the Broken planet later this month

24/11/2017

 
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MercurySteam have announced the release date for the next standalone campaign coming to Raiders of the Broken Planet.

by Liam Andrews
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@pass_controller

Wardog Fury is the second premium campaign to release for Raiders following the arrival of Alien Myths in September, and includes four story missions all playable in single player, co-op, or the 4 vs 1 Antagonist Mode. Players will have access to three new characters as they take on the deranged General Marmalade and the Umbra Wardogs in an attempt to recruit Loaht, a genetic experiment who can transform into a furious beast.
“Whereas Alien Myths explored some of the ancient culture native to the Broken Planet, Wardog Fury is fascinating because it focuses on one of the human factions and delves deeper into their lore,” said Enric Álvarez, Co-Owner of MercurySteam.
 
Here’s a bit more detail on the new characters and their abilities, which all Raiders players will be able to unlock:

  • Doldren, a native of the Broken Planet who is lethal with a pistol or submachine gun, but even more deadly when he resorts to his bare hands.
  • Iune is another native to the Broken Planet, who has the special gift of the Anhaurii, meaning she can weave Aleph to grant her unique powers. In addition to her mystical powers, Iune enters combat armed with her hunting rifle.
  • H.I.V.E. is a strange creature that General Marmalade found lethargic in an old temple and attempted to enslave. Soon enough, H.I.V.E. broke free and ended up joining the Raiders. H.I.V.E.’s origins, or its reasons to align itself with Harec’s band, remain a mystery.

If you’ve yet to give Raiders a try the game’s first campaign, Eternal Soldier, is free to download for everyone, with each subsequent standalone campaign available to purchase for €/$/£9.99 thereafter.

Wardog Fury
is out 30 November on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.
 
Looking forward to the next Raiders of the Broken Planet campaign? Let us know below.
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Free DLC coming to Arizona Sunshine on PS VR next week

24/11/2017

 
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Vertigo Games and Jaywalkers Interactive have announced some new co-op DLC (or DLZ, as they put it) for their zombie slaying VR title, Arizona Sunshine.

by Liam Andrews
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@pass_controller

The new content adds two maps to the game’s Horde mode, where up to four players fight off waves of the undead for as long as possible before they eventually end up as chow. Those who found the original map a little small, much like Sam did in our review, will be pleased to hear the new arenas are much larger and will allow for “a more dynamic play style” than the original offerings.
The first of the maps, Old Mine, is set in, you guessed it, an abandoned old mine shaft. Players start out armed with only a torch and are forced to approach the mode with a more tactical mindset as they’ll need to balance defending their area with going on vital supply runs in an “utterly dark map”.
 
The second, Undead Valley, takes place in a “zombie-infested warehouse-turned-underground casino” near the outskirts of Las Vegas, because why let something as trivial as a zombie apocalypse stop the good times?
 
Rather than simply defending an area against the undead, players must stay ahead of the horde by slowly expanding their area, collecting new weapons and ammo as they go.
 
Arizona Sunshine’s Free DLZ update is out 28 November on PS VR.
 
Are you looking forward to more co-op zombie slaying? Let us know below.
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Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus free trial now available

23/11/2017

 
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Bethesda have announced that a free trial for Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is now available across all platforms.

by Liam Andrews
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@pass_controller

Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC players can download and enjoy the entire first mission of the game for free, with all progress carrying over should you decide to purchase the game afterwards. Released last month, Wolfenstein II continues the story of BJ Blazkowicz as he attempts to free America from its Nazi oppressors.
James described Wolfenstein II as a “pure and unapologetic” single-player game that “really shines in its storytelling”, giving the game a lofty 9/10 in our review, so be sure to check it out.
 
Wolfenstein II is available now on Xbox One, PS4 and PC. Bethesda have confirmed that a Nintendo Switch version is coming sometime next year, but there’s no mention as to whether the same free trial will be available on Ninty’s hybrid console.
 
Will you be giving Wolfenstein II a try? Let us know below.
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A Night Sky final content pack now available for Gear VR

23/11/2017

 
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Coatsink (Esper 2, Augmented Empire) have detailed the sixth and final content pack for their VR title, A Night Sky.

by Liam Andrews
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@pass_controller

A Night Sky is a relaxing virtual reality experience exclusive to Samsung Gear VR that sees players using point and touch controls to connect constellations in the night sky, which bring to life the various creatures and objects depicted in the stars.
The final pack, Night of the Emperors, is available now and features winter-inspired content, including a new mini-game, new characters and the introduction of the Northern Lights. Players will also be able to chill out with a family of penguins.
 
“With A Night Sky, we wanted to create an accessible and charming introduction to VR that newcomers could pick up and immediately understand and play,” said Animator Emma Hollingsworth.
 
“We also wanted to push the humor in our animations and make sure there’s always a new character or amusing detail to discover around the next corner. We maintained this approach for each of the content packs, always aiming to do something new to captivate the player.”
 
For a limited time, all six content packs, including Night of the Golem, Night of the Dragon, Night of the Phoenix, Night of the Kraken, Night of the Martians, and the newly released Night of the Emperors, can be purchased together for a discounted price of £2.99/$3.99/€3.99.
 
Have you played A Night Sky? Fancy some winter-inspired stargazing? Let us know below.
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